Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Rescue Anxiety

Up until yesterday, I wouldn't have been able to tell you if our orange stray that we so diligently tried to rescue was alive. But 'lo and behold, I received a picture from the people who are watching for him:

Don't get me started on WHY the hell they haven't called or put this guy in their garage. These people are afraid of fleas and refuse to touch him. I'm grateful they are still in contact with me, however. He looks pretty good in this picture, so somebody is feeding him.

Of course, he finally shows up after Shelley and I rescue 17 cats yesterday and are scrambling on veterinary care and foster space. We left at 10 am and finally got home at 5 pm. Needless to say, the cats were not all from one location. I hadn't rescued like that in a long time!!! I'm such a conservative rescuer by nature, I desperately tried not to have a panic attack as we took a cat with severe dental issues and another big ol' Tom that had been fighting. Poor guy had abscesses all over his head and massive infections.

When we arrived at the lady's house to pick up one unneutered cat, we discovered she had four cats that needed help. One was VERY pregnant and due to deliver any day. She couldn't figure out how that happened since "the unneutered cats only came inside once in a while." :) So we loaded 'em all up.

The vet recommended that we viral test the Tom cat for Feline Leukemia. Sure...that's easy for her to say. I don't believe in viral testing for the most part, but I took one look at this big headed tom cat and knew it was the right thing to do. IF the test was positive, I would lovingly have him euthanized. He wouldn't be adoptable and the wounds on his head would never properly heal. I stood staring at the "Snap" test (similar to a pregnancy test) for 10 minutes. He was negative and I rejoiced!

It was really quite a day. We were at the high kill shelter, and a nasty smelly drug house - twice and the home of a kind retired lady who was trying to save a few cats but had no money. I put on a lot of kilometers on the car and at the end of the day my car was filled with empty coffee cups and a couple of muffin wrappers.

I think we were at the vets dropping off cats three different times. Bless their hearts, the vet managed to get ALL the surgeries and vaccinations done. Now it's our job to insure they're all moved out of the clinics and into appropriate foster homes. Piece of cake, right?

Tomorrow? I'm back at the "high kill" shelter to rescue 8 kittens that were left in a box at a bus stop.

Can the people with the orange and white outdoor cat make a straw-filled winter shelter out of a cooler or a cardboard box or something?!? If they won't let him in the garage he needs somewhere to curl up and stay warm.

Oh Beth, Thank you again many times over for all the kitties that you look after, and all those folk who venture forth to support you. Yes, this post also brought me to tears as I think of all those who are saved (and those who are not). I hope that the donation we sent in before Christmas ( even tho' it was a drop in the bucket ) has helped with some sweet soul . Hearing about YOUR yesterday was a wonderful day indeed for me..Now sending prayers and positive thoughts that everything works out for all concerned. BIG WARM HUGGGS for a beautiful purrson and a very caring heart ( and all those who make these special moments happen ! Love Gail

I'm reading this with a kitten sleeping down the front of my hoodie and her brother sleeping at the back of my neck, trying not to cry happy tears after reading your post . Thank you for posting about the white and orange guy I've been wondering what happened.

I'm reading this with a kitten sleeping down the front of my hoodie and her brother sleeping at the back of my neck, trying not to cry happy tears after reading your post . Thank you for posting about the white and orange guy I've been wondering what happened.